If you're a first-time traveller to this remarkable destination, allow us to guide you as we delve into the wonders of Botswana's Chobe region.

Tucked away between the Chobe National Park self-drive area to the east and the Okavango Delta to the south, Linyanti is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts seeking a unique and untouched safari experience.

At the heart of this pristine wilderness lies the captivating Savute area, a haven that beckons with its awe-inspiring biodiversity. Savute boasts a diverse array of species found in the Chobe region, with the notable exception of water-loving antelope. It offers a harsh and desert-like landscape in the dry season (May to October), where the now-flowing Savute channel provides a lifeline for wildlife.

This contrasts dramatically with the rainy season (November to April), where the seasonal pans fill with water. At this time, the Savute Marsh and its surroundings are covered with lush green vegetation that attracts an annual migration of zebra and wildebeest and an abundance of birdlife.

The sand ridge, Ghoha Hills, and the dead trees on the Savute Marsh offer some spectacular photographic opportunities. The Savute Marsh has been the stage for many of Africa's most dramatic wildlife documentaries, such as National Geographics Savage Kingdom series. The vast open country, good ungulate populations and hardened pride of lion and hyena clans make for dramatic wildlife interaction and excellent viewing opportunities. The marsh is prime for predators.

The centrepiece of Savute is the enigmatic Savute Channel. This waterway weaves its way for around 100 kilometres from the Linyanti River and is home to the legendary Channel Pride of lion, well known for their daytime hunting and activities. This channel carries the river's waters through the vast expanse of the Savute Marsh and onwards to the Mababe Depression, nourished by the Ngwezumba River from the northeast. The Mababe, once a part of the Makgadikgadi super-lake, is now a flat expanse fringed by lush thickets of trees. When filled with water, it transforms into a haven for migratory birds and awe-inspiring herds of zebra.

Savute's geography is a realm of fascinating curiosities, none more intriguing than the unpredictable flow of the Savute channel itself. Over the past century, this waterway has mysteriously dried up and then resumed its flow multiple times. Some attribute this phenomenon to plate tectonics, resulting in the haunting sight of dead trees lining the channel's path. These trees flourish during periods of drought, only to be submerged when the channel awakens once more.

The expansive Kwando, Selinda, and Linyanti concessions lie in this remote corner of Botswana, where the Chobe and Okavango converge. These breathtaking landscapes offer unparalleled wildlife encounters and vistas, rivalling the beauty of the Okavango.

Much like the Okavango River, the Kwando River journeys southward from Angola, meandering through the Caprivi Strip and spilling its life-giving waters into the Linyanti Swamps. These swamps give birth to a tapestry of stunning natural features – tranquil channels, picturesque lagoons, and flourishing papyrus stands. Alongside these waterways stand proud riparian forests punctuated by towering trees that evoke a sense of wonder.

Stretching along the riverside is the Kwando to the northwest, Selinda (covering 1350 square kilometres) to the south, and Linyanti (encompassing 1250 square kilometres) to the east. The Chobe National Park makes a small but impactful appearance, meeting the Linyanti River and its surrounding swamps. Here, self-drive campers will find government facilities, while the concessions offer private campsites for a more exclusive experience.

When the dry season takes hold, the Kwando and Linyanti Rivers become vital migration points for wildlife across northern Botswana. As herds of buffalo and elephants, alongside wildebeests and zebras, gather around these permanent water sources, you'll witness nature's timeless spectacle.

Within these concessions, an extraordinary range of antelope and predators can be spotted, contingent upon the season and the availability of food and water. From elegant waterbucks and elusive sitatungas to prowling lions, stealthy leopards, and agile cheetahs – the wildlife display is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Yet, the true allure of this remote corner of Botswana lies in its ability to transport you into a realm of isolation and detachment from the outside world. Here, small, intimate camps host a limited number of guests ranging from six to only a few dozen. Amidst the vastness of nature, with no distractions but the rustling bush and a captivating cast of wild inhabitants, you'll find the adventure of a lifetime.